Method and system to track unused media

Abstract

In one embodiment, data is discerned, the data indicative of a first quantity of unused media contained within a roll. Prior to a plot being printed on the roll, a second quantity of unused media expected to be in the roll after the plot is printed is discerned using the data. Printing of a machine-readable marking on the roll, along with the plot, is caused, the marking being indicative of the second quantity.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method to track unused media within a roll, the method comprising:
 discerning data indicative of a first quantity of unused media contained within the roll; 
 receiving an instruction to print a plot on the roll, and receiving an instruction that the plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed on the roll; 
 prior to the plot being printed on the roll, predicting, using the data, a second quantity of unused media expected to be in the roll after the plot is printed; 
 receiving, before printing the plot is completed, an instruction to print a machine-readable marking on the roll after the last of the plurality of plots is printed, the marking indicative of the second quantity of unused media; 
 processing the marking for printing along with processing the plot; 
 during a same print run as printing the plot, printing the marking on the roll after the last of the plurality of plots is printed. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after printing the marking, severing used media between the plot and the marking, leaving a portion that contains the marking on the roll. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the instruction that the plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed includes receiving the instruction before printing the plot is completed. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the instruction that the plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed includes receiving the instruction prior to printing the plot. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second quantity comprises unused media expected to be in the roll after printing of the plot and printing of the marking. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the instruction to print a machine-readable marking on the roll after the last of the plurality of plots is printed includes receiving the instruction from a user via a user interface. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the instruction that the plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed includes receiving the instruction from a user via a user interface. 
     
     
       8. A system comprising a processor and a memory, the processor being configured to execute instructions stored in the memory, wherein the memory stores instructions in the form of a data module, a prediction module, and a marking module:
 the data module configured to discern data indicative of a first quantity of unused media contained within a roll; 
 the marking module configured to receive an instruction from a user to print a plot on the roll, and receive an instruction from the user that the plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed on the roll; 
 the prediction module configured to, prior to the plot being printed on the roll, predict, using the data, a second quantity of unused media expected to be in the roll after the plot is printed; 
 the marking module configured to, before printing the plot is completed, receive an instruction from the user to print a machine-readable marking on the roll after the last of the plurality of plots is printed, the marking indicative of the second quantity of unused media; 
 the marking module configured to process the marking for printing along with processing the plot and, during a same print run as printing the plot, print the marking on the roll after the last of the plurality of plots is printed. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the marking module is configured to, before printing the plot is completed, receive the instruction that the plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the marking module is configured to, prior to printing the plot, receive the instruction that the plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the marking module is further configured to, after the marking is printed, signal severing of used media between the plot and the marking to leave a portion that contains the marking on the roll. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second quantity comprises unused media expected to be in the roll after the plot and the marking are printed. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a user interface, 
 wherein the instruction that the plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed is received from the user via the user interface, 
 wherein the instruction to print a machine-readable marking on the roll after the last of the plurality of plots is printed is received from the user via the user interface. 
 
     
     
       14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that when executed implement a method comprising:
 detecting data indicative of a first quantity of unused media contained within a roll; 
 receiving a print job comprising a plurality of plots to be printed on the roll; 
 receiving, with the print job, an instruction to print a machine-readable marking on the roll after a last plot in a print queue is printed, the marking indicative of a second quantity of unused media expected to be in the roll after the last plot and the marking are printed; 
 prior to the plots being printed on the roll, determining, using the data, the second quantity of unused media expected to be in the roll after the last plot and the marking are printed; 
 processing the marking for printing along with processing the print job; 
 during a same print run as printing the print job, printing the marking on the roll after the last plot is printed. 
 
     
     
       15. The medium of  claim 14 , wherein the computer executable instructions when executed implement the method further comprising receiving, before printing of the last plot is completed, an instruction that the last plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed prior to removal of the roll. 
     
     
       16. The medium of  claim 14 , wherein the computer executable instructions when executed implement the method further comprising receiving, prior to printing the last plot, an instruction that the last plot is a last of a plurality of plots to be printed prior to removal of the roll. 
     
     
       17. The medium of  claim 14 , wherein the computer executable instructions when executed implement the method further comprising wherein receiving the instruction to print a machine-readable marking on the roll after a last plot in a print queue is printed includes receiving the instruction from a user via a user interface. 
     
     
       18. The medium of  claim 14 , wherein the computer executable instructions when executed implement the method further comprising processing the marking at a printer and processing the print job utilizing a raster image processing application that runs external to the printer. 
     
     
       19. The medium of  claim 14 , wherein the computer executable instructions when executed implement the method further comprising processing the marking utilizing a raster image processing application. 
     
     
       20. The medium of  claim 14 , wherein the computer executable instructions when executed implement the method further comprising:
 after printing the marking, severing used media between the plot and the marking to leave a portion that contains the marking on the roll.